Iceland Packing Essentials: Bring a Winter Jacket and a Swimsuit

Traveling to Iceland during colder months and wondering what kind of weather to expect, what to wear and what to pack for Iceland in winter? I made this Iceland packing list (not just clothing) to help you prepare and truly enjoy your Icelandic winter adventure.

Just to make it clear, by winter I don’t just mean November, December, January and February. This Iceland packing list is meant for all colder months from September to May. For the rest of the year – check this Iceland packing list for summer.

What kind of weather can you expect in Iceland in winter?

I have been to Iceland twice, once in summer and once in winter. While this may not be common, we had a big snow storm in June, and beautiful cold dry weather with no rain or snow for seven days in a row in November. This is just to say that when traveling to Iceland, you have to be prepared for all kinds of weather in any season. This is especially the case if you cover Northern and Southern parts of the island in one trip, as the weather conditions may vary tremendously.

Iceland enjoys a cool temperate maritime climate and it’s warmer in winter than you would expect. But the wind can be really hard, so it feels colder than it actually is! Average temperatures in Reykjavik are around 0°C (31°F) in January, but only 13°C (55°F) in July. The weather is known to change quickly and often. Icelanders often say that if you don’t like the weather, just wait five minutes.

Iceland is not all covered by ice and snow in winter, but you should check the road conditions and expect the unexpected. Usually, you will get more rain than snow and cold northerly winds which can be very strong.

Iceland packing list for winter months

There is no bad weather, just bad clothing. But what clothes to pack for Iceland in winter? Packing for Iceland is tricky because you can expect so many different weather conditions in any season. Don’t despair. With some good preparation and consideration you can easily travel light.

Gloves, scarf or buff, and a winter hat are an absolute must. Consider wearing warm waterproof gloves together with thin inner gloves which you can keep on while taking pictures.

Remember to always carry a swimsuit and a quick-drying towel (although you may usually rent one). Iceland is known for its many outdoor thermal pools and hot tubs which are popular all year round.

Whether or not you need smart clothing depends on what you are planning to do in Iceland. It might be a good idea to pack a few smart outfits for dinner or if you are planning on going out in Reykjavik.

Winter jacket and a swimsuit? Yes, this is your packing list for Iceland in winter!

Thermos

There are few things in life which make you feel better than a sip of hot drink after a walk in the cold. And even though there are many more cafes and restaurants in Iceland now than there used to be when we visited ten years ago, finding one while on the road can be trickier than you think. Packing a thermos flask (and a picnic lunch for that matter) gives you complete flexibility during the day. You can fill it up with coffee or tea at breakfast in your hotel or at a petrol station or a restaurant (when you find one). Find a beautiful spot, sit down on a rock with a warm cup of tea in your hands and a magnificent view in front of you – it’s as good as it gets.

Reusable water bottle

Icelandic tap water is pure, it’s tasty, and it’s safe to drink. Take a reusable water bottle and fill it up whenever you can.

Flashlight

Having a small powerful flashlight in your pocket can be very useful on many occasions as it gets dark very early in Iceland in winter. We used flashlights all the time when looking for a good spot to photograph Northern Lights or when trying to choose the right camera settings or to focus in the dark. Headlight keeps your hands free, so it’s ideal for night photography.

Beauty essentials – not just for the ladies

Lip balm, hand cream, and body moisturiser should be in everybody’s bag when traveling to Iceland in winter. You will enjoy your Iceland winter trip more when you will not have cracked lips, dried out hands, or an itching body.

What else to pack for Iceland in winter

That’s pretty much it when it comes to Iceland packing for winter. Of course you should not forget to bring your camera gear (consider a weather resistant camera). A good tripod is a must for night photography. Here you can find more tips for finding and photographing the Northern Lights. Don’t forget travel adaptors (Iceland uses European plugs), sun glasses (yes, also in winter as the sun is very low and you’ll definitely need sunglasses if driving on a sunny winter day), medicine, and a smaller backpack for day trips. Don’t forget a rain cover for your backpack! You can leave your umbrella at home – strong winds make it completely useless.

If you forget something…

You will be able to find anything you might need in Reykjavik and some bigger towns, but it may be more difficult in rural areas. However, the prices are much higher in Iceland than on Amazon :), so prepare in advance, pack smart, and enjoy the trip of a lifetime!

Looking for specific advice on what to wear in Iceland in winter?

Here are some examples of the clothing I wore on my trip to Iceland in November. We had very cold weather, with temperatures dropping to -10°C (14°F) and winds up to 100km/h (62 mph) on several occasions. We asked Icelanders what they thought the wind chill factor would be, and they said there was no number to describe it; when it comes to Icelandic winter weather – they told us – you can only divide it into two categories: cold or bloody cold, and it was the latter.

So here are some examples and links to the clothes I wore and things I took with me which allowed me to actually enjoy my Icelandic winter trip.

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Comments

My friend and I are leaving for Iceland next week and your tips have helped tremendously. I feel that I am well prepared now and ready for Icelandic winter. We knew we needed warm clothing, but some of your tips have been especially helpful.

I’m with you on this one, Tatjana. I also wore jeans in Reykjavik, in combination with thermic underpants and three layers of shirts/sweaters + windproof winter jacket (we visited in November). It was still cold, but in town you can always find a place to warm up. Outside of town I wore my winter pants (kind of skiing pants actually) with thermic underwear and it was bearable. People with jeans were really suffering, especially at the waterfalls where they got wet. And we didn’t even have rain – can’t imagine how cold it would be if the jeans would get wet in the rain in such temperatures.

Thanks for the advice, Jurga. I found your article very useful. Myself and a group of friends are travelling south Iceland for a week this coming November, and I’m already so anxious about the trip. My entire suitcase will just be coats I’m afraid. I’ve already got the thermals and rain gear checked off the list, but I’ve got to get something heavier to help fight the wind and keep me from blowing away.

Glad you found my tips useful, DeAnna. You made me laugh ‘entire suitcase will be just coats’. 🙂 Pick right and one is enough. And don’t forget at least 2-3 layers underneath. You can click on the yellow jacket picture to see what I wore in Iceland in November – to give you an idea. What you are looking for is a lightweight wind- and waterproof jacket with winter insulation. Have fun in Iceland (and don’t blow away)!

Any excuse is good to to update your wardrobe, isn’t it? 😉 Same here – I buy most clothes when preparing for trips. Advice for Iceland – buy bright colours. Landscape can be really b&w in winter if the weather is less good and your bright jacket will improve all your pictures! Or at least that’s what everyone keeps telling me about my yellow jacket in Iceland…

Hi Jillian, I think that DeAnna is right – you should consider what means of transport you will be using in Iceland before deciding what type of luggage to take with you. I took a large duffel bag with wheels to Iceland, but it’s the same luggage we use for most of our trips. We’ve abandoned hard shell suitcases years ago, because duffel bags are just easier to stack in the trunk of the car when doing road trips, and especially now that we travel with 5 people. But if trunk space is not an issue, then it really doesn’t matter.

I am returning from Iceland today. Winter had just arrived about the middle of my trip. Jurga’s packing tips really saved my life.

Jillian, I flew with Icelandair from Chicago O’hare to Keflavik. They allow you 2 free checked bags, one carry-on and a personal item. The carry on bag I chose was an Osprey Transporter 40 duffle/backpack. It fit perfectly in the overhead compartment, and I had it packed full. I would say the type of luggage you would need may also depend on what type of vehicle you will be travelling in and if your travelling companions will need space for their luggage also. These were the big deciding factors for me. The large roller suitcases can take up a lot of room in the back of your car and could make it difficult to situate other luggage.

Be sure to take Jurga’s advice about what to pack. The most useful things I had on the trip were my waterproof pants and my rain/wind shell jacket. You don’t want to have to buy the expensive stuff in Iceland’s gift stores. My husband did not take my advice and found out the hard way that he needed waterproof instead of water resistant clothes.

Thanks a lot for your feedback, DeAnna. Glad to hear that my tips made your trip more enjoyable. How was the trip itself? Sorry to hear about your husband though. I saw so many people in wet jeans during our trip, I don’t know how they handled it. It’s so much easier and cheaper to buy the right clothing (and shoes!) before you leave – prices are really high in Iceland and even more so in tourist areas.

It really was everything I hoped it would be! The weather was about as nice as you can expect it to be in November. Some sunshine, some rain, snow and cold strong wind. The northern lights were not very strong while I was visiting though. We saw them very faintly one night while staying in Kirkjubæjarklaustur. My favorite memory of the trip was climbing the cliff behind the town in the dark to get a better view of the lights. We were completely alone up there, the moon was full, and we could see everything for miles in all directions bathed in moonlight. Simply the most incredible view even without the northern lights.

Hi Jurga, I’m reading your tips and wondering what to pack when you’re sharing one suitcase with four people. We’re flying WOW Airline and WOW suits this carrier in so many different ways. The airfare was amazing even after paying for seat selection and one carry on for our family trip with two tall adult children. But that is what’s stressing me out. How do we get enough clothes for the four of us into one checked bag. They even charge for a second personal carry on now…. WOW! So what do you think is most important to bring? We get about 10lbs each in the checked bag.

Wow! 🙂 I think you can always still book an extra bag after you already booked the tickets. Most low-cost companies allow it. So check that first. But anyway. Back to packing. I actually think it’s possible (we travelled to Australia for 5 weeks with 2 suitcases for the 5 of us, with temperatures ranging from 50°F to way over 100°F in different regions we covered). Take just one pair of shoes – wear them. Pack a waterproof jacket – wear it as well. One sweater (fleece = light and warm) per person – wear it. Pack one extra fleece sweater, maybe an extra pair of pants. For the rest it’s just some underwear and t-shirts really (which can be washed in the hotel in the evening if need be), swimsuit (but leave the towels and even flip-flops at home). A buff, gloves, toiletries (as little as possible – you can use hotel amenities or buy what you need upon arrival)… It’s not easy, but feasible even with 10lbs. Don’t take anything that is not 100% necessary. Make sure that all your clothes match (so no pants that only fit with that sweater and situations like that ;)) and that you can layer the sweaters/jacket if necessary. You’ll be surprised how little you actually need. Hope this helps! Curious to see how you manage it! 😉

Great post thanks so much for the tips, I was having a bit of a stress packing… as always!! A couple of questions, I have walking boots or walking trainers – do you think I boots are a better option? Also any tips on what food to take I heard it was pretty expensive so was thinking of taking my own. Thanks

Hi Becky, whether you need hiking boots will depend on your itinerary. If you plan on doing some serious hiking, then yes. Otherwise you will be ok in walking shoes, just make sure they are waterproof and somewhat anti-slip, even if you only do short walks to the main highlights. I have no experience with taking food into Iceland. I think I took a package of cookies and never ate it :). There are quite some shops/ petrol stations/ small cafes along the Ring Road now, especially in the South, and the prices are generally ok. Dinner in remote areas is quite expensive though, as there is not much choice or alternatives. Enjoy your trip!

I plan to travel to Iceland from October 29th to the 5th of November. 1. Curious of the road conditions from Reykjavik to Hofn ?? If we would have time to travel to Egilisstadir or not and still drive back to Reykjavik by Saturday? 2. Any advice on domestic flights in order to cut down on car time? We thought of trying to visit Lake Myvan and fly back from Akureyri ? 3. How much time to allow for the Golden Circle? 4. Travel from Airport (Kef) to Reykjavik cost if bus/shuttle? 5. As another couple will be renting a car coming in a day after me.

Hi Laurie, I really have no time to look into your itinerary, but here are some answers: 1. Road conditions – you won’t know till you get there. I would think that in that period it should generally be ok. For driving times it’s best to use Google maps – they are usually pretty accurate. 2. The best way to get to/from Akureyri in winter is indeed by flying from Reykjavik. 3. Golden Circle – you’ll need half a day + the time to get there and back. 4. Check this website for airport shuttle info.

Welcome!

Hi, I’m Jurga. A traveller with a camera and a mom of three boys. On this blog I share our family's travel experiences all over the world, coupled with lots of practical information and useful tips. My pictures will inspire you to discover new destinations and my stories will prove that you can take your kids anywhere.Join us as we discover the world one beautiful adventure at a time!Read more about me, my family, and our trips all over the world...